Referees
Are you or your youth player interested in becoming a referee?
Des Moines Soccer Club will be hosting several referee training clinics in August. Information for both Adult and Youth referee pathways is below:
ADULT REFEREES (18+)
August 22, 9am-1pm at Roosevelt High School
We need adult referees! Have you ever been watching a game and thought to yourself "This is the third time this season we haven't had a full referee crew" or "The ref has missed three fouls"? You can help by becoming a referee yourself!
Become "Grassroots Certified"!
- Complete a series of online modules
- Attend our in-person training session in August.
- Background check is required.
Benefits of refereeing as an adult:
- Learn more about the beautiful game, get a different perspective
- Exercise - game levels matched to your abilities
- Earn a little extra cash, can pay for soccer travel!
- Spend quality time engaging with your youth referee if you get certified together!
- Help DMSC ensure that all games have a certified referee
YOUTH REFEREES
There are two pathways for youth referees:
PATHWAY 1: Referee Development Program (RDP)
RDP is intended to help new youth referees get comfortable with refereeing in a low-pressure environment.
Referee Development Program (RDP1) Clinic, August 29, 9-10am at Water Works
Participants must be at least 12 years old (no exceptions) and attend a one-hour clinic. After successfully completing the clinic, RDP1 referees are given all the equipment they need and will be eligible to referee DMSC 6U-8U internal rec games on Sunday afternoons (this is not a general certification). The pay is $15 per game.
Referee Development Program (RDP2) Clinic, August 29, 10-10:30am at Water Works
Participants in this program must have completed the RDP1 training and attend an additional 30 minute training to become an Assistant Referee for 9U and 10U games. Similar to the first step, they will only be eligible to work DMSC games - this is not a general certification.
PATHWAY2: Grassroots Certification
Youth referees who want to earn more money, work higher level games, and set refereeing goals must obtain a Grassroots refereeing license. They will complete the same coursework as adult referees, but do not need a background check.
IMPORTANT NOTE FOR PARENTS/GUARDIANS: If you are registering your youth referee, please use their email address to create an account. You will always be copied on communication from DMSC, in compliance with SafeSport requirements, but the referee should have their own account.
Thank you for considering referee certification. The game cannot be played without referees, and we are grateful for everyone's time and effort to keep DMSC games safe, fun, and positive!
For general information about the refereeing pathways and how DMSC supports referees, download the Refereeing at Des Moines Soccer Club flyer (PDF) or contact Steve Wilke-Shapiro at sportsmanship@desmoinessoccerclub.org
Become a Referee
Refereeing is a great opportunity for youth (particularly soccer players) AND adults to learn the game from another perspective and earn some extra cash.
Referees must be at least 13 years old when they register for the course. Adults are strongly encouraged to do the certification with their youth. Refereeing is a great way to spend time together!
There are several online components to the certification process
- (18+ only) Background check — this process takes about 15 minutes (cost of $30/2 years, plus a small fee)
- (18+ only) SafeSport assignment that must be completed to learn about player safety and health
- Online Grassroots Referee Course in the US Soccer Learning Center
- Introduction to Safe and Healthy Playing Environments (30 minute presentation)
- Laws of the Game Update
- First Time Grassroots Referee Quiz
All new referees must also complete an IN-PERSON training session
Payment for the online component and the In-Person component will be completed online at the US Soccer Learning Center and is a total of about $60 for both.
How to register for an ONLINE and IN-PERSON course
- Create a US Soccer Learning Center Profile
- All referees must have a Learning Center Profile. Your account profile will contain your unique e-mail address, password, mailing address, phone number, etc.
- To create a Profile, go to the US Soccer Learning Center at https://learning.ussoccer.com/referee and click on ‘Sign Up’.
- Follow the instructions provided in Learning Center Signup.
- When registering, carefully input your name, mailing address and email address (must be unique to you, not a shared email) as this becomes a record for the entire time you are a referee.
- IMPORTANT for YOUTH REFEREES: Do not use the same email address your parents used to register you as a player.
- After you’ve created your Profile, click on ‘Courses’. Then, click on ‘Go to Course List’. Find "IA - Grassroots In-Person Course" and click on ‘Course Details’.
- Following the successful completion of the online assignments component, you will attend the in-person course component to complete the requirements necessary to become a referee.
- Once you have taken and passed the course, email the DMSC Director of Referees (referees@desmoinessoccerclub.org) to get set up in the assigning system and start refereeing games!
DMSC Referee Support & Benefits
Certification Reimbursement
Referees who officiate more than 10 DMSC games each season in a calendar year, are eligible for reimbursement of the Grassroots Course Fees or Recertification Fee.
The Des Moines Soccer Club organizes several skill-building and refresher workshops throughout the year. Referees who have officiated at least one game in the prior season will receive invitations via email.
Check out the DMSC Referee Welcome Packet for more information!
Referee Contacts
Recreational Level DMSC Referee Contact
DMSC Director of Referees
Steve Wilke-Shapiro
referees@desmoinessoccerclub.org
Competitive/Select Level Referee Contacts
Des Moines Soccer Club does not assign referees at the club level. Competitive/Select referees are managed and paid through Iowa Soccer League.
Central Iowa ISL Referee Assignor
Bonnie Larson
DMSC Referee Mission
- Our SHARED GOAL is to facilitate a positive and safe game experience for parents and players.
- DMSC seeks to cultivate a “club of choice” reputation among referees.
- DMSC provides support for referee skill development and growth.
